I was born on the 50th anniversary of Armistice Day.
My dad was scheduled to be deployed to Vietnam. My grandmother was damned if her son wasn't going to see his children before going off to war. She had my mother moving furniture up and down stairs. It must have worked because my sister and I were born three-four weeks early (things weren't as precise a half century ago, especially with twins) on November 11 and my dad shipped out on November 27. We were fortunate and he came home to us 13 months later.
I was an army brat who got to see a fair amount of the world before my dad retired from the military. My parents saw it as an opportunity to broaden theirs and their daughters' horizons. No sticking to the base for this family. A few days off meant what country do we visit this time? My dad urged the men in his unit to to do the same. I've always wondered how many lives he changed with that simple advice.
Considering my parents both came from southern Baptist very conservative families, I credit both their individual personalities and the opportunities the US military gave them for making me the liberal I am today. Mine, my sister's, and my parents' homes are filled with the memorabilia of these jaunts. We both married men who share the same passion and curiosity about the world and are raising children who feel the same. I have a son who will likely be living in Japan for two to three years after he graduates college next spring. I'll miss him, but thrilled he too cherishes the commonality of humanity while appreciating our glorious differences.
My dad (32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command) and my maternal grandfather (101st Airborne in WWII) were the only military in my family, so not what you would say a strong tradition in my lineage. But all my life, my birthday has been a reminder to me of the sacrifice men and women have made in not just the US, but throughout the world. I still think of it as Armistice Day not Veteran's Day. I'm weird that way.
Disrespecting the military by failing to properly support and protect these people upon their return home, insulting them, and devaluing them has always been a factor in my disgust with the GOP. I have no words for what happened yesterday.
Today, I want to once again express my appreciation to everyone who has served in our uniform services and to everyone who loves someone who has served.
In particular - 1st Lt. (Lt. Col, ret.) and Mrs. Pacifist Patriot - 
= new reply since forum marked as read
Happy Birthday 
No wonder you're a pacifist 
Not until 5:00 pm. 
